Published: Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 8:24 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 1:49 a.m.

The small fishing town of Cocodrie is competing again to be named one of the country's top fishing destinations — and your vote is needed.

Cocodrie placed fifth last year out of hundreds of U.S. and Canadian fishing destinations nominated for the World Fishing Network's annual Ultimate Fishing Town competition.

The winning town gets a $25,000 community donation and is featured on the World Fishing Network. The network will work with the winning town's local government to help determine how to spend the money to be put toward benefiting local anglers.

Each town is ranked by the number of votes it gets in about a month on the competition's website.

Parish President Michel Claudet encouraged everyone at last week's Parish Council meeting to go online at worldfishingnetwork.com to vote. Hint: You can vote up to four times a day.

The voting period begins April 15 and ends May 24. The winning location will be announced June 4.

Cocodrie racked up nearly 8,000 votes last year.

Located along the Gulf Coast, Cocodrie lies in one of the most productive estuaries feeding from the Mississippi River Delta.

Cocodrie's winding freshwater marshes that lead to nearby Gulf locations give anglers a shot at a wide variety of catches.

Inshore anglers can expect to pull in plenty of redfish and speckled trout. And in a short trip south, fishermen can reel in larger saltwater fish such as tarpon and tuna.

Julie Pitre, owner of Cajun Bait in Cocodrie, said the town offers more than just great fishing.

“We've got all sorts of unusual things happening down here,” she said. “Not long ago we had a manatee show up, which is uncommon, and we have great hospitality. We welcome out-of-towners and make them feel at home away from home.”

There are plenty of spots in Cocodrie where you can catch all your bait fish and shrimp if you have the right equipment, Rusty Ledet said.

“It's one-stop shop,” Ledet said.

Other Cocodrie residents said they didn't know the contest was back on or that it was an annual event. But now that they know, they hope to win.

Houma resident Edward Pinell said he comes down to Cocodrie often to fish at his favorite spots.

<p>The small fishing town of Cocodrie is competing again to be named one of the country's top fishing destinations — and your vote is needed. </p><p>Cocodrie placed fifth last year out of hundreds of U.S. and Canadian fishing destinations nominated for the World Fishing Network's annual Ultimate Fishing Town competition.</p><p>The winning town gets a $25,000 community donation and is featured on the World Fishing Network. The network will work with the winning town's local government to help determine how to spend the money to be put toward benefiting local anglers. </p><p>Each town is ranked by the number of votes it gets in about a month on the competition's website. </p><p>Parish President Michel Claudet encouraged everyone at last week's Parish Council meeting to go online at worldfishingnetwork.com to vote. Hint: You can vote up to four times a day.</p><p>The voting period begins April 15 and ends May 24. The winning location will be announced June 4. </p><p>Cocodrie racked up nearly 8,000 votes last year. </p><p>Located along the Gulf Coast, Cocodrie lies in one of the most productive estuaries feeding from the Mississippi River Delta. </p><p>Cocodrie's winding freshwater marshes that lead to nearby Gulf locations give anglers a shot at a wide variety of catches. </p><p>Inshore anglers can expect to pull in plenty of redfish and speckled trout. And in a short trip south, fishermen can reel in larger saltwater fish such as tarpon and tuna. </p><p>Julie Pitre, owner of Cajun Bait in Cocodrie, said the town offers more than just great fishing. </p><p>“We've got all sorts of unusual things happening down here,” she said. “Not long ago we had a manatee show up, which is uncommon, and we have great hospitality. We welcome out-of-towners and make them feel at home away from home.” </p><p>There are plenty of spots in Cocodrie where you can catch all your bait fish and shrimp if you have the right equipment, Rusty Ledet said.</p><p>“It's one-stop shop,” Ledet said. </p><p>Other Cocodrie residents said they didn't know the contest was back on or that it was an annual event. But now that they know, they hope to win. </p><p>Houma resident Edward Pinell said he comes down to Cocodrie often to fish at his favorite spots.</p><p>“If the water is clear, you can catch a 50-pound drum fish,” he said. </p><p>And he has the pictures of the large drum fish he caught to prove it.</p>